“Earsling,” a harsh voice challenged me from beside the Wheatsheaf’s hearth. “What rancid demon brought you here to spoil my day?” I stared. And stared. Because the last person I had ever expected to see in Æthelred’s stronghold of Gleawecestre was staring at me. “Well, earsling?” he demanded, “what are you doing here?” It was my father.